EVER since word got out that Worcester Warriors had snapped up an “outstanding 18-year-old fly half” the spotlight has been on Tiff Eden.
The stand-off had just made the move to Worcester from local rivals Gloucester when former rugby operation director Corin Palmer’s comments in the wake of Richard Hill’s sacking caused a stir with the Sixways faithful.
Suddenly, all eyes were on Eden when the club’s new director of rugby Dean Ryan gave him the chance to shine in the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series.
A string of strong showings in the competition appeared to set him up for an exciting first season at Warriors, but it did not go to plan as he was hit by a succession of injury setbacks.
“I had a fractured ankle in August which kept me out for a couple of months and then a week after that I did my shoulder in so I was out for another three or four months,” Eden said. “It was really frustrating.”
But the Cheltenham-born ace, who recently turned 20, refused to let this get him down and is now ready to demonstrate why coaches rate him so highly.
“You can do as much prehab and rehab as possible, but sometimes you just get injured – it’s the nature of the game,” he said.
“I just concentrated on getting my fitness and conditioning right. I was also trying to learn off what the first team were doing well, so I could put that into practice next season.
“I want to lay down a marker this year and show people what I am all about. I have had opportunities over the last few weeks and hopefully I will get more if the coaches see that I am doing well.”
Although he has already made six first team appearances this season, which included a 100 per cent goal-kicking display against Nottingham, the academy star knows he has a lot to work on as he notably missed a sitter of a penalty in the opening minute of Worcester’s clash against Munster A.
“It was not an ideal start to the game and I have obviously nailed a few of them in training since,” he said.
“On that occasion I just hooked it, but I had to just move on to the next kick as there is no point dwelling too much on it.
“I find it quite easy to beat myself up over little things, but during the game you have got a job to do and you have got to move on and get the next one.”
Eden certainly did just that as he coolly dispatched a touchline conversion after superbly setting up a try and that is why the spotlight continues to point in his direction.